HC Deb 16 February 1984 vol 54 cc373-4
15. Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that no Tamils are forcibly returned to Sri Lanka against their will for at least a period of 12 months after the last reported incident of sectarian violence against Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Waddington

No, Sir. We shall continue to examine each case in which a Sri Lankan Tamil expresses a fear of returning to Sri Lanka, in accordance with our obligation under the 1951 United Nations convention and the 1967 protocol relating to the status of refugees and in the light of the particular circumstances of the case and the situation in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Wigley

Will the Minister tell the House how many Sri Lankan Tamils have been returned since the violence last summer? Does he agree that, whereas a minority of those who are here are fearful of returning for political reasons, the majority are fearful because of the violence against Tamils as Tamils? Will he assure the House that those who are merely fearful because they are Tamils will not be treated in any worse way than those with a political involvement?

Mr. Waddington

I assure the hon. Gentleman that every case is considered with the greatest care. We observe scrupulously the United Nations convention on the treatment of refugees. In answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, between 1 July and 31 December last year no fewer than 16,400 Sri Lankan nationals were admitted to the United Kingdom and 241 were refused leave to enter and removed. I should add that only 17 of those detained expressed a fear of being returned to Sri Lanka. Of these two left voluntarily and two have been removed or deported.

Mr. Hill

Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that it is not a completely one-sided position? Was not the whole disastrous episode in Sri Lanka started by Tamil guerrillas slaughtering 12 of the Sri Lankan Government troops? Is it not time that those bridges were mended and that the President of Sri Lanka was given an invitation to visit the United Kingdom again?

Mr. Waddington

I am sure that you would agree, Mr. Speaker, that this is no time for us to debate these matters. It is my task to study the case of each person who is here and wishes to stay.